Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Aim High

On this day, in 1947, the United States Air force was chartered under the national security act:

to preserve the peace and security, and provide for the defense, of the United States, the Territories, Commonwealths, and possessions, and any areas occupied by the United States;

to support national policy;

to implement national objectives;

to overcome any nations responsible for aggressive acts that imperil the peace and security of the United States.

In general the United States Air Force shall include aviation forces both combat and service not otherwise assigned. It shall be organized, trained, and equipped primarily for prompt and sustained offensive and defensive air operations. The Air Force shall be responsible for the preparation of the air forces necessary for the effective prosecution of war except as otherwise assigned and, in accordance with integrated joint mobilization plans, for the expansion of the peacetime components of the Air Force to meet the needs of war.

Here's to 60 years of the sound of freedom; and another 600.

In the air, on the ground, and in space

NOTHING CAN STOP THE US AIR FORCE

Off we go into the wild blue yonder,Climbing high into the sun;Here they come zooming to meet our thunder,At 'em boys, Give 'er the gun!Down we dive, spouting our flame from under,Off with one hell of a roar!We live in fame or go down in flame. Hey!Nothing can stop the U.S. Air Force!

Minds of men fashioned a crate of thunder,Sent it high into the blue;Hands of men blasted the world asunder;How they lived God only knew!Souls of men dreaming of skies to conquerGave us wings, ever to soar!With scouts before And bombers galore. Hey!Nothing can stop the U.S. Air Force!

Off we go into the wild sky yonder,Keep the wings level and true;If you'd live to be a grey-haired wonderKeep the nose out of the blue!Flying men, guarding the nation's border,We'll be there, followed by more!In echelon we carry on. Hey!Nothing can stop the U.S. Air Force!

High Flight

John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earthAnd danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirthOf sun-split clouds...and done a hundred thingsYou have not dreamed of...wheeled and soared and swungHigh in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,I've chased the shouting wind along, and flungMy eager craft through footless halls of air.Up, up the long, delirious, burning blueI've topped the windswept heights with easy graceWhere never lark, or even eagle flew.And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trodThe high untrespassed sanctity of spacePut out my hand, and touched the face of God.

To the United States Air Force I say thank you; you helped make me who I am.--Christopher J. Byrne IV (Capt. USAFR Ret.)